Paul E. Santos

Paul E. Santos, 74, of Taunton, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2021 at the VA Medical Center in West Roxbury, MA, due to respiratory failure following a period of declining health.

Born in Fall River, Paul was the beloved son of Marie E. (Blow) and Everett M. Santos. He was raised and educated in Dighton, and lived most of his life in Massachusetts.

Paul proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as Security Police with the 37th Combat Support Group at Phu Cat Air Base in South Vietnam from March 1967 to March 1968. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. During his tour of active duty, his unit received the Vietnam Air Offensive Phase II 67-68 Campaign Streamer, Vietnam Air/Ground Offensive Service Streamer, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm. Following his active duty service, Paul continued serving his country in the Air Force Reserve until 1972.

He was a devoted son, a proud and loving father and grandfather, and a dedicated friend who always extended himself to support others in need. He loved spending time near the ocean - quahogging and deep-sea fishing. During his life, Paul worked as a chef in restaurants in California, Nevada, and Massachusetts. His love of the ocean and skills as a chef meant he could always be counted on to host a clam boil or to show up unannounced on your doorstep bearing chowder or kale soup.

Paul will be remembered for his quick wit, keen sense of humor, and infectious laughter – a legacy that will be carried on in Stacy and Melanie. Above all, he considered his daughters to be his greatest source of inspiration, joy, and pride.

Paul is survived by his mother, Marie E. Medeiros of Taunton; daughters Stacy L. Murphy and her husband Christopher of North Easton, and Melanie J. Mead and her wife Jennifer of Fairhaven; grandchildren Robyn Ashley, Adam Misiaszek, Jolie Misiaszek, and Colin Murphy; a sister, Maureen A. Lussier; and several nieces and nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his father Everett M., sisters Marilyn L. Santos and Janet L. MacEachern, and a brother Wayne M. Santos.

In his own words, Paul described the trauma he experienced during his military service as shaping the rest of his life and the lives of those he loved. Through hard work and with the support of the VA, Paul found some much-needed peace and healing in the last decade of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Paul’s memory to Home Base Veteran and American Care https://homebase.org, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) https://www.dav.org/, or any other organization that supports disabled veterans and their families.

Burial will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 2pm. Relatives and friends may gather at the entrance at 1:45pm.

Arrangements made with Silva Funeral Home, Taunton.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook or to light a candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com